Thunder Bay opens temporary shelter village for unhoused people, with first tenants moving in Friday

A long-awaited temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay is finally operational, with the first residents set to move in on Friday. The village at 879 Alloy Place consists of 80 sleeping cabins and common buildings built by Thunder Bay company ModBox Modular.

A long-awaited temporary shelter village for people experiencing homelessness in Thunder Bay is finally operational, with the first residents set to move in on Friday, October 2. The city toured media through the site on Thursday.

The village, located at 879 Alloy Place, consists of 80 sleeping cabins as well as common buildings with a kitchen, washrooms, laundry facilities and a security office, built by Thunder Bay company ModBox Modular. Two joined buildings house the washrooms, laundry, a common area, and the staff kitchen and offices, with a separate security office near the main gate. It is the first shelter village of its kind in northwestern Ontario.

All 80 sleeping cabins are built and in place on the site. The first 40 are hooked up to electricity and ready to accept tenants, with the remaining hookups expected over the next couple of weeks as the city takes a phased approach to reaching full occupancy.

The units are climate controlled, have locking doors, and are suitable for single or double occupancy. Some units are accessible, and all of them can be adapted to suit residents' needs. Each one includes a bed, a desk, a window, and a clothing rack.

Residents have 24/7 supervision and support from security officers and community support workers, a daily breakfast, and system navigators who help with case management, ID, income supports and housing. They must take part in a support plan as they work toward long term housing, and can live in the village for up to four years.

The project is part of the city's Enhanced Encampment Response plan, approved by council in 2024. The province contributed $2.8 million toward it, and emergency shelter operators in the city have said they hope the village will help ease pressure this winter.

“The units are climate controlled, they have locking doors, they are suitable for double occupancy or single occupancy. We have some accessible units as well, and all of the units can be adapted to suit residents' needs.”